Tag Archives: Rick White

Independent Ball

FloSports to Broadcast Three MLB Partner Leagues in 2023

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Last year, the Frontier League announced their partnership with the sports streaming service, FloSports. At that time, the Frontier League was the first and only professional baseball league to be featured on the streaming platform.

“The Frontier League is fully committed to offering our fans exceptional experiences in our ballparks, in their homes, and on their devices”, said Jon Danos, CEO and commissioner of the Frontier League.  With FloSports as a partner, our League content is even more accessible, and we take additional steps toward offering a go-to league preferred by players whose talents can be further enjoyed on a big stage along their journey to the big leagues”.  Last year alone, seventeen MLB teams purchased the contracts of 47 Frontier League players.

“The addition of the Frontier League games to FloSports represents our continued commitment to delivering the highest quality baseball competition to our subscribers,” said Chris Keldorf, Senior Director, Global Rights Acquisition, FloSports. “We’re excited to bring this programming to our platform to showcase the level of athletic talent that is part of the Frontier League.”

FRONTIER LEAGUE AND FLOSPORTS ANNOUNCE LANDMARK STREAMING RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This season, two more MLB partner leagues have joined the FloSports family: the Atlantic League and the Pioneer League.

This marks the first league-wide broadcasting agreement for the Atlantic League.

“This is a landmark opportunity for the Atlantic League to continue to grow our brand,” said ALPB President Rick White. “Our FloBaseball partnership will expand the reach of each club, serve existing and new markets, plus grow viewership and fan engagement. For the first time ever, fans can watch their favorite club’s home and road games, plus any other ALPB games they want to see.”

Beginning with Opening Day on Friday, April 28, all Atlantic League broadcasts will deliver high quality digital productions of home and road ALPB contests, along with FloBaseball new and original content. The partnership will maximize the exposure of every ALPB team and make all 630 league regular and post-season championship games available in home and away markets and anywhere there is an internet connection. The exclusive arrangement replaces past streaming efforts on a club-by-club basis. 

Atlantic League, FloSports Partner To Stream Games

Earlier this week, the Pioneer League became the third partner league to come to an agreement with FloSports.

The partnership will provide viewers with high-quality, comprehensive streaming coverage of each of the PBL’s 10 teams throughout their full regular season schedules, beginning on Tuesday, May 23rd, and continuing through postseason play.

“The Pioneer League is all about providing our baseball fans with entertaining, unique and quality experiences whether in person at our charming ballparks or, now, anywhere else on FloSports’ streaming platform,” said PBL President Mike Shapiro.  “This is a significant step forward for our fans, MLB scouts and the friends and families of our players who can now access our streamed games in one location.”

“Baseball is in the midst of a renaissance and FloSports is proud to support The Pioneer League and provide all PBL games and original content under our FloBaseball platform,” said Chris Keldorf, Senior Director of Rights Acquisition at FloSports. “PBL fans will have access to coverage of all games throughout the season, and we are excited to showcase the next wave of the sport’s talent.”

Pioneer League to Stream Games on FloSports

About FloSports:

Founded in 2006, FloSports is a venture-backed subscription video streaming service dedicated to sports, offering live and on-demand access to hundreds of thousands of competition events across 25+ vertical sport categories in the US and abroad. With a growing library of more than 300,000 hours of premium content including news, expert commentary, films, documentaries and more, FloSports has established itself as an innovator and leader in sports streaming. Finally, your sport has a home. 

Check out FloBaseball HERE for more information

Independent Ball

MLB Announces Experimental Rules For Atlantic League In 2022

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As in the past, major league baseball intends to use the Atlantic League as a test for more experimental rules.

Official Press Release:

Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced two experimental playing rules for use during the 2022 Atlantic League (ALPB) Championship Season.  The rules are designed to create more action on the field, to reward athleticism and to raise the profile of starting pitchers.

        Other promising rules first tested in the Atlantic League, such as Automated Balls-Strikes (ABS), have been expanded to affiliated play in the Minor Leagues, while the ALPB continues to pioneer rules and equipment tests. The experimental rules below were previously tested in the Atlantic League on a limited basis. Below is a summary of the experimental rules that will be tested to start the 2022 Atlantic League season:

·        Double-Hook Designated Hitter Adjustment:  The double-hook designated hitter will be modified. In 2021, teams lost their designated hitter when they removed the starting pitcher from the game.  However, in 2022, if the starter is able to complete at least five innings, the designated hitter will be allowed to remain in the lineup for the entirety of the game.  This rule intends to place emphasis on longer outings by starting pitchers.

·        Dropped Pitch Rule: As in the second half of 2019, batters will be able to advance to first base on any pitch that is not caught in the air by the catcher, even with first base occupied by a runner.  Those who get to first base safely will be awarded a hit.  This rule will increase the importance of taking care of the baseball (e.g., pitching with command, receiving, and blocking pitches) and reward athletic players who are able to capitalize on wild pitches and passed balls.

         Michael Hill, MLB’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, said: “Given the positive results of recent years, we are continuing to prioritize the kinds of experimental rules that many baseball fans routinely discuss and want to learn more about.  Testing in the Atlantic League and throughout the Minors will provide us with more valuable feedback and data that can be taken into consideration.”

        Rick White, President of the Atlantic League, said: “We continue to be excited about ALPB’s role helping Major League Baseball determine the future of the game. We are proud many of the tests pioneered in the Atlantic League are reaching a broader audience throughout all levels of professional baseball.”

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About The Atlantic League
The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the Major Leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation.  The ALPB has sent over 1,000 player to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans during its 23-year history. Please visit http://www.AtlanticLeague.com.

Contact: Steve Shutt (336-970-7512) or Andrew Bandstra (515-664-6936), ALPB Communications